Lessons from Elijah’s Translation
II Kings 2:1-18
3-29-09
Intro
Two men in the Old Testament did not experience death. They were raptured into heaven when their time here on earth was accomplished. One was Enoch. Enoch’s life is summarized in the Bible with two statements. One in the O.T. and one in the N.T. Genesis says this about Enoch: “he walked with God.” The New Living Bible says, “Enoch lived in close fellowship with God.” Heb. 11 tells us “he pleased God.” There couldn’t be anything more basic and important in a person’s life than that. Wouldn’t you like to have God say those two things about you? “...he walked with God” and “he pleased God.” In the busyness of our lives we must never forget those two objectives.
Our story this morning begins with the other person who did not taste death. He was a prophet named Elijah. Elijah was a colorful character. He had the rough exterior of a heavy beard and animal skin clothes. He looked the part of a prophet. He also spoke like a prophet. His speech was not sugarcoated in any way. He was a man who said what he meant and meant what he said. He confronted kings without blinking. He was mighty in prayer and God used him to work awesome miracles. He taught a school of the prophets which not only grounded students in the word of God but also in the moving of the Holy Spirit. He mentored a young man named Elisha. Elisha was like an assistant pastor to Elijah. One group of people referred to Elisha as the one who “poured water on the hands of Elijah.” In other words, he pretty much did whatever Elijah needed him to do. My guess is: Elijah would not have been the easiest person in the world to work for. He was the most anointed man alive at that time; but that anointing came with rough personality edges.
Our story this morning begins in II Kings 2:1. Follow with me as we read verses 1-18.
This morning we want to look at this passage from three different angles. First, we will look at the man, Elijah, and learn from his behavior in this situation. Second, we will consider the other prophets and draw lessons their actions. Last, we will look at Elisha and see what we can learn from him.
I. In Elijah we have lessons on how to finish well in your walk with God.
II. In the other prophets we get a glimpse of how half-hearted commitment affects our behavior.
III. In Elisha we see the kind of decisions and action that moves us into a greater level of anointing.
I. Elijah is an example of someone who finishes well.
(Everyone over 40 years old should pay close attention to Elijah).
1st He kept obeying God right up to the end.
Four times we hear him say, “...for the LORD has sent me.” That’s the way Elijah lived; and he continues to live that way right up to the end. One of the greatest temptations the older Christians face is not a wild night at the bars; it’s not a temptation to run drugs or rob banks. No, those sins take too much energy and are too risky. The temptation older Christians face is to simply do nothing much of anything. They work at their jobs because that’s how they pay for the comforts of life. They spend time with their kids or in my case grandkids because that can be very affirming. They go to church 3 or 4 times a month because that sooths the conscience. There’s not as much temptation toward overt sin as there once was. The temptation now is toward sins of omission. James 4:17 “Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn’t do it, sins” (NIV). What did Jesus tell us to do? “Go into all the world and preach the gospel....” There’s a mission to be accomplished. There are people in misery and shame who need our message. Jesus says “Go”; but most Christians stay. They stay with their friends. They stay where they’re comfortable. They send themselves where they want to go rather than letting the Lord send them where He wants them. Why do Christians experience so little of the power of God? They don’t obey the most basic command we have from Jesus. They hunker down where it’s safe—and the power of God is seldom demonstrated where it’s safe.
The temptation to say to ourselves, “Let somebody else do it; I’m tired.” The temptation is to say, “I’ve paid my dues; let the younger generation do it.” I don’t see that in Elijah. He’s ready right up to the end of his life to go wherever the Lord sends him and do whatever the Lord tells him to do. I have to resist that temptation. I can’t say, “Let the younger guys plant churches or restart churches. It’s hard work and I’m tired.” No, I take the assignment the Lord gives me and do it with all my might. We are not our own; we are bought and paid for; we belong to the Lord and do His bidding.
What if Elijah had the entitlement mentality that says, “I’ve paid my dues; let somebody else do it?” I don’t think we would be reading this story today. I don’t think he would have been translated with that mentality.
2. He is still breaking through barriers right up to the end.
Watch him in verse 8 as he walks up to the Jordan River. “Elijah, are you sure you’re on the right path. You say the Lord is leading you; but look where it’s taken you: face to face with an insurmountable barrier. Maybe you should backtrack a bit. Just turn around and go back; it’s not working.” No, it’s working beautifully. Through the leading of the Lord, Elijah stands in the need of a miracle. I can’t find one place in the Bible where God gave someone a miracle that didn’t need a miracle. Herod tried to get Jesus to give him one. But Jesus refused to do that. Elijah is facing something too big for him to overcome alone.
Watch him as he calmly rolls up his mantle. What a strange thing to do in the face of a raging river. Then under a powerful unction of the Spirit he strikes the water. And when he acts in faith & obedience, God acts; God divides the waters. Not only does Elijah walk across on dry land, but Elisha gets to experience the miracle as well. Friends, if we will step out in obedience to God, others will be blessed through that obedience. I don’t just want to be blessed; I want to be a blessing as well.
3. He is still concerned about the needs of others.
There is Elisha following close behind him all the way. Three times Elijah says to him, “Stay here...for the LORD has sent me on....” What’s happening there? I don’t think Elijah wants the young prophet to stay behind. I think Elijah’s spirit leaps with joy every time Elisha answers back, “No way—I’m coming with you.” So what’s he doing? He’s giving Elisha the opportunity to draw the line and not go further. God’s giving Elisha a test. “Elisha, do you want more or are you content where you are?”
God asks us that as well. Do you want to stay where you are spiritually? If you do, I will respect your choice. But there’s always more. There’s more for you and me if we want it. It’s not going to be handed to you at Gilgal; it’s not even coming to you at Bethel. If you want it, you’ve got to go with your Elijah, Jesus, all the way to the Jordan. Elisha is not content to stay where he is. Elisha says to Elijah, “No, I’m coming with you.”
After Elisha passes those three tests—and may I say, not before—then Elijah turns to him and says, “Ask!” Nobody’s that persistent for nothing. What is it you want?” “What may I do for you before I’m taken away from you?” Right up to the end Elijah is serving the needs of others. The request is large. It’s the kind of thing only God can do. So Elijah tells the young prophet, “You’ll know pretty quickly whether God’s giving you that. You’ll know by revelation. You’re calling will be confirmed by God showing you what He’s doing. You’ll see things others don’t see.” Elisha’s experience of seeing Elijah taken up into heaven was part of his preparation for future ministry. God does not give revelation to entertain us. Nor does He give it to flatter us. God gives revelation to equip us. I could never do the job God’s given me to do without the revelation He has given in preparation for it. I would have given up long ago without that revelation. Many of you know exactly what I’m talking about. Real ministry is not energized by profit plans or benefit incentives. Real ministry is not energized by the prospect of gaining reputation. Real ministry is inspired and ignited by revelation from God. Someone may say, “How do I get that revelation?” You get it the same way Elisha does in our story.
So, for us who have been in this for awhile, Elijah is a vivid reminder of our calling to be faithful unto the end. Elijah finished well and God wants that for each and every one of us. He hasn’t called any of us to just coast on into glory. Amen?
Now we come to this school of the prophets.
II. These other prophets are an example of half-hearted commitment.
Let’s be fair. They were people with a sincere interest in God. They wouldn’t be at Elijah’s school if they weren’t. They were of the nation of Israel, God’s people. In today’s terminology we would call them Christians and relatively committed Christians. They were not just Sunday-go-to meetin’ Christians. Their whole life revolved around the Word of God. There they are in Elijah’s School of Ministry.
Everyone knew that today is the day God would take Elijah home. I can only assume that God had told that to Elijah; and Elijah had shared it with his students. You know you’re walking with God when He tells you what He’s about to do next. Remember what God said Abraham in Gen 18:17, “And the LORD said, "Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing.” Why would God show Abraham or Elijah things He wouldn’t show to others? God knew what they would do with the information. They would not misuse the information. What did Abraham do when God told him what He was about to do to Sodom? Abraham didn’t run down half-cocked screaming at Sodom. He didn’t brag to others about his spiritual insight. Abraham prayed! Through Abraham’s intercession, Lot was saved. How much revelation can God trust us with? That’s how much we shall have.
These prophets had enough interest in the things of God that they went out to where Elijah was. How much of their interest was just curiosity verses sincere desire for God is hard to say. I’ve noticed that revivals draw a rather mixed crowd. Some come out of a deep hunger for more of God. But many come simply for a thrill. For them, the more excitement the better. The bigger the crowd the better. It’s all about getting a good feeling. And when that’s over, they’re gone. I cannot say exactly what was going on in these prophets’ minds. But we do get some insight by what they say and do.
1st they spoke discouraging words.
In verse 5 they tell Elisha something he already knows. “Do you know that the LORD will take away your master from over you today? They saw a very bleak future for Elisha. Tomorrow, Elisha, you’re not going to have the protection and security of Elijah. You’re going to have to go it alone. You won’t be able to just stand in Elijah’s shadow and celebrate the miracles and victories Elijah wins. You won’t be such hot stuff when you don’t have Elijah to depend on. There’s a whole lot of unbelief and pessimism in their words.
They see a problem. Elijah’s going to be gone. We won’t have this great leader. The half-hearted crowd is very good at spotting problems. Have you ever been working your guts out to get the living room clean—you’re vacuuming like crazy; and somebody lying on the couch points his boney finger at a crumb and says, ”You missed something right over there.” Well you already knew that; you were just so busy trying to do the rest of the floor that you planned to come back to it. How much better it would be if that person would get off his lazy behind and pick the crumb up himself. There will always be plenty of people in the church pointing out deficiencies and problems. Jesus didn’t say the discerners of problems are few; he said the laborers are few.
Elisha’s answer was, “Yes, I know; keep silent!” I’m guessing there was something in him that wanted to say more. But by the grace of God his words were few. Perhaps we could at least translate some of the Hebrew, “shut up” instead of “keep quiet.”
2. They also stay at a safe distance.
There is Elijah & Elisha face to face with the raging Jordan River. Do those prophets come down off the hill to offer their help? No, they sit back and observe. They’re close enough to see the miracle; but not close enough to participate in it. There’s a big, big difference between watching ministry happen from a distance and doing it yourself. One of the sad deceptions that exists in many churches is the concept that a minister has been hired to do the work of the ministry. Ephesians 4 tells us that pastors, teachers, apostles, etc. are there to equip the members to do the work of the ministry. My job is not to do your ministry for you. My job is to equip you to do your ministry. If I do it for you, you didn’t get equipped. If I do it for you, you also didn’t get to experience the miracle; you just watched it from afar. That describes 90% of Christians in church today. They are just passive observers like these prophets in our story. Notice, the prophets who kept their distance in II Kings 2 did not see Elijah taken up into heaven. That revelation was reserved for the one person willing to press in close to Elijah.
I can just see those prophets as Elisha returns with Elijah’s mantle. One looks at the guy sitting next to him and asks, “What is Elisha doing with Elijah’s mantle?” And there is Elisha standing before that raging river alone. Now he doesn’t have Elijah to get him across. Those prophets want to see this. Why? They are expecting Elisha to make a fool of himself by trying to do what Elijah just did. They believe in miracles; they just don’t expect anybody to do them but Elijah. I would love to have seen their jaws drop open when Elisha parted those waters. Now watch them; what do they do?
3. They jump on the Elisha band wagon.
Elisha gets a breakthrough and they want to share in the glory of it. Now they want close ties with Elisha. Now they want to be in his church and on his team. Now they want to share in the spoils of victory. Reinhart Bunke tells about his experience when God told him to go to conduct his first crusade in Africa. His ministry had been very small and he was an unknown. I can’t remember the name of the city God first sent him to; but God told him to rent a large stadium there to conduct a city-wide crusade. He did that and zealously began asking churches to participate. Only one pastor of a small church agreed to be there. At the first service they had this huge stadium with only a handful of people. It looked ridiculous. But in that little meeting God came down and worked mighty miracles. It wasn’t long until the stadium was full. What do you think the pastors did then; they wanted to jump on the band wagon. They offered their choirs to sing at the events. Once somebody gets a breakthrough, it’s not hard to find people who will jump on the bandwagon. I don’t want to be a band wagon jumper; I want to be a wagon maker. I want to be an Elisha. Don’t you?
Now these prophets did one more thing that showed their true colors. After all that had happened, they wanted to go search for Elijah’s body.
4. They still did not believe the full report.
They had seen miracles. They had seen the Jordan supernaturally parted. But they had not pressed in; and they had not seen Elijah’s supernatural departure. So they wanted to form a search party and see if they could find Elijah’s body—as if God could not get him all the way to heaven. Their very words in verse 16 are, “Please let them go and search for your master, lest perhaps the Spirit of the LORD has taken him up and cast him upon some mountain or into some valley.” Always analyzing, always studying the matter—rather than simply embracing the truth and living accordingly.
There was plenty of evidence already that it happened just as Elijah had predicted and just as Elisha had told them. In their own words they acknowledged that God was with Elisha when he parted the Jordan. What’s it gonna’ take for them to believe?
Leaning on their own understanding, they conduct the search and discover nothing. Truth is not found by conducting your own search; it’s found by drawing near to God and receiving His revelation of truth.
So in these other prophets we see how half-hearted Christianity behaves. We see the risk-free, safe distance it maintains. We see the powerlessness that a lukewarm lifestyle produces. But Elisha stands in contrast to all that.
III. In Elisha we have an example of someone who presses into God and receives a greater anointing on his life.
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Here is whole-hearted passion for God. Here is real hunger for God. What do we see him doing?
1st He sticks close to and walks with godly people.
He sees something in Elijah that he wants. James tells us that Elijah was a man of like passions just like you and me. He was not a god; he was not an angel; he was a man made of flesh and blood. Why is that important? God does not bring godly examples into our lives so that we can worship that person like an idol. God brings those people into our lives to inspire us to follow their example. The anointing of the Holy Spirit was not just for Elijah—even in Old Testament times. It was for Elisha and the other prophets if they would press in and receive it. It’s a cop out to simply admire a godly example and not emulate it. Paul told the Corinthian Christians “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (NIV).
Elisha got into some good company and stayed there. “Do not be misled:” Paul says to the Corinthians, “Bad company corrupts good character (NIV).” Here is a word for all of us; but the younger crowd should pay special attention. Prov. 13:20 “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm (NIV).” Why do fools hang with fools? It’s more fun for awhile. Wise people carry responsibility; that’s not always fun. Is anybody here hanging with the wrong people? Someone may say, “But I may win them to Christ.” Then confront them with the gospel and see what happens; see whose leading who.
Three times Elijah tells Elisha to stay behind while he moves forward. I’m glad Elisha wasn’t a baby. I’m glad Elisha didn’t get offended and go eat worms. No, Elisha knew what he wanted in life. He wanted the God of Elijah; he wanted a double portion of the Holy Spirit anointing that he saw on Elijah’s life. A man cannot give you what he does not have. Elisha understood that. So he stuck close to people who had the real thing.
2. Elisha refuses to allow others to discourage him.
The other prophets had nothing encouraging to say. All they could talk about were problems. “Well I guess the School of Prophets will go under once Elijah’s gone.” “I don’t know if this church is going to make it or not. It doesn’t look like there’s going to be enough money tomorrow. After all, the economy is in bad shape.” Elisha has the right solution—“just be quit. You’re unbelief is not helpful. We can do without it.”
Even Elijah’s suggestion that he settle down and not go forward couldn’t stop Elisha. The four locations were Gilgal, Bethel, Jerico, and Jordan. Three times Elijah gave him opportunity to draw back; and three times Elisha presses forward
The prominent characteristic we see in Elijah is his persistence. He kept pressing in. Paul said, “I press toward the mark of the prize of the high calling in Christ Jesus.” God has not called one person here to drift aimlessly through life. He has a purpose for you. And that purpose doesn’t get fulfilled without some perseverance on your part.
How bad do you want it? That’s the question. Everybody wants an anointing on their life. Everybody wants to experience the power of God. But hear me and hear me well: wanting is not necessarily choosing. I want a trim, muscular body; but I have not chosen to have one. I have not chosen to pay the price to have it. Here is the deception in the minds of God’s people. We think just because there is a desire for God to move, then that’s all that’s required on our part. Don’t you think that every one of those prophets in our story wanted a double portion of God’s Spirit? I think they wanted it; but they did not choose it. Only one person chose it; Elisha alone was willing to press in and have it. You want more of God in your life? How bad do you want it? Do you want it bad enough to establish regular prayer times? Do you want it bad enough to forgive your brother or sister of an offense? Do you want it bad enough to invest time in that pursuit? Or do you just want it, if it comes easy.
It never comes easy. That’s why Elijah told Elisha, “You’ve asked a hard thing.”
3. Elisha asked largely and wisely of God.
Be careful what you pray for; you might just get it. Israel in the wilderness craved flesh; and got it until it was running out their noses.
Do you remember when God came to Solomon and asked him what he wanted? Solomon asked for the right thing. He asked for wisdom so that he could lead his people well. The Hebrew carries the idea that he asked for a “hearing heart.” Wisdom really comes through hearing and obeying God. God was pleased with Solomon’s request and granted it.
Here Elisha makes the right request. Why is it right? It is in perfect alignment with the will of God. From the first day Elisha met Elijah he knew God had called him to follow Elijah in ministry. On the first day they met (I Kings 19) Elijah tossed his mantle on Elisha. He had already been told by God that Elisha was to be his successor. Like Solomon, Elisha is asking to be empowered & equipped to fulfill his calling—to do the will of the Father. “Thy kingdom come, thy will be done....” is foundational to effectual prayer. In spite of the warning (“You have asked a hard thing”), Elisha asked for the first born—double portion—of Elisha’s anointing. What did Elijah mean in verse 10 when he told Elisha he had asked a hard thing? He didn’t mean it was hard for God. Nothing is hard for God. He meant: it’s going to be hard to receive. The greater the anointing we operate in, the more dealings of God are required to keep us humble. Paul talked about his thorn in the flesh that God sent to counter the temptation toward pride. “Elisha, it’s going to be costly to receive that request. Nevertheless if....” –if you see.
4. Elisha stayed spiritually alert.
Verse 10, “Nevertheless, if you see me when I’m taken away from you, it shall be so for you....” We can be standing right at the door of spiritual opportunity and miss it if we’re not careful. In Jesus’ day, Israel missed the day of her visitation. Messiah had come and they didn’t even recognize him. The answer to your prayer may arrive right under your nose, and you don’t even realize what it is.
There are lots and lots of distractions in our culture. On the one hand, it’s a blessing that there are so many things to do. You can spend time traveling; you can spend time watching entertaining movies; you can access all kinds of things on the Internet. There are hundreds of ways to connect with people clear across the world. No wonder everybody’s busy. There’s plenty of options to occupy our time.
This morning, I do not ask you if you’re busy. We’re all busy. I’m even getting tired of hearing myself talk about how busy I am. Everybody’s busy. The question is: busy doing what? The only way you and I are going to get our double-portion of the Spirit is if we keep our priorities right. Jesus put it quite simply, “Seek first the kingdom of God....” The issue is not, are we doing something. The issue is: do we have our priorities right?
Elisha is watching for God to do something. He is not distracted by other things. His priority is God and what God is doing. Therefore, when God moved, he saw it; he experienced the miracle; he got the revelation.
5. Elisha stepped out in faith and used what God gave him.
When Elijah’s mantle fell before him, he picked it up. What did that mantle represent? It represented power. It represented authority. We can see that immediately. But it also represented responsibility. Elijah’s shoes were some large shoes to fill. Elijah found himself hated by kings. Elijah’s life was in jeopardy at times. Elijah did not live a soft, easy life. “Elisha, are you sure you want to pick that mantle up? Are you sure you want to do the job that mantle represents?”
When Elisha stands at the Jordan, he’s faced with a real challenge. It’s one thing to walk along behind Elijah and piggy-back on his faith. It’s another to do the stuff yourself. And there are those pesky prophets sitting back and watching. That’s pretty much all they’re good for. As I said earlier, they probably thought Elisha was going to make a fool out of himself. But Elisha was willing to risk that in order to obey God. What a bold proclamation of faith, “Where is the God of Elijah?” It took courage to take that mantle and strike those waters. But when he did it, he found the same God who was with Elijah was with him as well.
God is looking for some Elisha’s right here in this room. He’s looking for people who are hungry enough to press in. He’s looking for people who will pray and persevere. Will you be one of those people? Will you take a chance on God the way Elisha did? Will you not just want more of God; but will you choose more of God—and make it your priority.
Pray
For FOOTNOTES/RESOURCES go to www.GatewayNixa.org
TEXT: II Kings 2:1-18
And it came to pass, when the LORD was about to take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. 2 Then Elijah said to Elisha,"Stay here, please, for the LORD has sent me on to Bethel."
But Elisha said, "As the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!" So they went down to Bethel.
3 Now the sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, "Do you know that the LORD will take away your master from over you today?"
And he said, "Yes, I know; keep silent!"
4 Then Elijah said to him, "Elisha, stay here, please, for the LORD has sent me on to Jericho."
But he said, "As the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!" So they came to Jericho.
5 Now the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho came to Elisha and said to him, "Do you know that the LORD will take away your master from over you today?"
So he answered, "Yes, I know; keep silent!"
6 Then Elijah said to him, "Stay here, please, for the LORD has sent me on to the Jordan."
But he said, "As the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!" So the two of them went on. 7 And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went and stood facing them at a distance, while the two of them stood by the Jordan. 8 Now Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up, and struck the water; and it was divided this way and that, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground.
9 And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, "Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?"
Elisha said, "Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me."
10 So he said, "You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so." 11 Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.
12 And Elisha saw it, and he cried out,"My father, my father, the chariot of Israel and its horsemen!" So he saw him no more. And he took hold of his own clothes and tore them into two pieces. 13 He also took up the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and went back and stood by the bank of the Jordan. 14 Then he took the mantle of Elijah that had fallen from him, and struck the water, and said, "Where is the LORD God of Elijah?" And when he also had struck the water, it was divided this way and that; and Elisha crossed over.
15 Now when the sons of the prophets who were from Jericho saw him, they said, "The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha." And they came to meet him, and bowed to the ground before him. 16 Then they said to him, "Look now, there are fifty strong men with your servants. Please let them go and search for your master, lest perhaps the Spirit of the LORD has taken him up and cast him upon some mountain or into some valley."
And he said, "You shall not send anyone."
17 But when they urged him till he was ashamed, he said, "Send them!" Therefore they sent fifty men, and they searched for three days but did not find him. 18 And when they came back to him, for he had stayed in Jericho, he said to them, "Did I not say to you, ’Do not go’?"
For FOOTNOTES/RESOURCES go to www.GatewayNixa.org
Richard Tow
Gateway Church
Nixa, Missouri
